Recommended Student Immunization
In an effort to reduce the number of children catching influenza, the Pipestone Family Clinic will be holding Flu
Vaccination Clinics in the Edgerton and Pipestone schools for grades K-12 in October. (Exact dates and times will be
announced at a later date.) We will be offering a choice of either the flu shot or the nasal spray. Both vaccines are
preservative free.
If you would like your child receive this immunization during the school flu vaccination clinic, please complete the
appropriate form (one side is for the shot, the other is for the nasal spray). If you answer “yes” to any of the questions,
talk to you doctor before getting the vaccine.
We ask that you check with your insurance company by calling the number on the back of your insurance card to verify
vaccine coverage before you fill out this form. If your insurance does not pay for the flu vaccine 100%, please
enclose a check for $30.00 for the flu shot and $40.00 for the flu mist or check with your local Public Health office.
If you have no insurance, state vaccine will be provided for a fee of $21.22 checks must be included with form).
Please return the form to your child’s school no later than September 30th. Forms will not be accepted after this
date.
No vaccines will be given without a fully completed and signed consent form.
For any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse or the Pipestone Family Clinic at 507-825-5700 and
ask for Cindy at ext. 4736 or Julie at ext. 4782.
FLU FACTS
Parents should be aware that some children might need two doses of influenza vaccine. Children younger than 9
years of age need 2 doses of influenza vaccine if being vaccinated for the first time - or who got influenza vaccine for
the first time last season but got only one dose - should get 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart, to be fully protected.
Parents will need to bring their children to the clinic for the second dose. Insurance coverage for the 2nd dose varies by
company. Please check with your insurance company to verify coverage for children needing the 2nd dose.
Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease.
It is caused by the influenza virus, which can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions.
Anyone can get influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most people, symptoms last only a
few days. They include: fever/chills, sore throat, fatigue, cough, headache, muscle aches, and runny or stuffy nose.
Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza.
Young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions – such as heart, lung
or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system – can get much sicker. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and
make existing medical conditions worse. It can cause diarrhea and seizures in children. Each year thousands of people
die from influenza and even more require hospitalization.
By getting flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.
It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the vaccination. Protection lasts about a year.
Your child will be given/offered a Vaccine Information Statement from the CDC at the time of administration.
Flu shot clinics are subject to cancellation due to possible nationwide flu vaccine shortages.